Suicide Prevention Moves Online to Promote World Suicide Prevention Day; New Action Alliance Public-Private Partnership to be Announced

WASHINGTON, Sept. 9 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- As part of the International Association for Suicide Prevention's World Suicide Prevention Day on September 10, the National Council for Suicide Prevention (NCSP) announced today the launch of its Take 5 to Save Lives campaign (www.take5tosavelives.com), an online public awareness and education campaign that encourages everyone to take 5 minutes to help prevent the suicide of a friend or loved one.

"Suicide is one of our most challenging public health issues," said Dr. Dan Reidenberg, managing director of the National Council. "But we know that suicide is preventable and that people can do something about it. The Take 5 campaign empowers people to change—and save—lives."

In addition to the National Council, nearly 100 public and private organizations—including Facebook, Twitter, the American Psychiatric Association, American Psychological Association, the Mayo Clinic and the Mall of America—have come together to spread the word about the annual day and the campaign. As the name suggests, the Take5 to Save Lives campaign offers people five actions they can take to learn more about suicide and its prevention: learn the warning signs for suicide, join the online movement to prevent suicide, spread the word, support a friend, and reach out if you need help.

On World Suicide Prevention Day there will be activities in 750 countries.  Campaign organizers for the United States are hoping that individuals and groups will send out tweets, update their Facebook status message, and make other announcements on their social networking pages and websites. Facebook has taken a leadership role in the online industry promoting World Suicide Prevention Day by supporting the day by creating targeted ads on the social networking site, distributing a blog about online safety and other messaging to help reduce suicide.

In addition, the NCSP along with many Federal Agencies will be announcing the formation of an Action Alliance to Prevent Suicide on September 10, 2010 from the National Press Club in Washington, D.C.  A 9:00 a.m. (EDT) press conference is scheduled to recognize World Suicide Prevention Day and discuss the next generation in suicide prevention through a public-private partnership for the nation. The press conference will be streamed live on www.visualwebcaster.com/suicideprevention.

"As a parent who lost a son to suicide," said Philip Satow, survivor and National Council for Suicide Prevention representative on the Executive Committee of the newly formed Action Alliance,  "I'm hopeful that the steps we are taking today will help prevent this tragedy from occurring among countless families across America."

According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (www.SAMHSA.gov), suicides now account for 34,598 deaths each year in the United States - almost twice the number of homicides (18,361). A recent SAMHSA study showed that 8.3 million American adults seriously contemplated suicide in the past year, with 1.1 million adults actually attempting it.

But groups like the member organizations of the National Council, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), SAMHSA, and the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, 1-800-273-TALK (8255) have been working to ensure that people can reach out for help to prevent suicide. In May of this year, the SAMHSA-funded Lifeline answered its two millionth call since its launch in 2005.

The suicide prevention community in the U.S. has increasingly taken their efforts online. The Lifeline (www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org) has established profiles and relationships with MySpace, Facebook, Twitter and YouTube and has worked with each platform to establish safety protocols and guidelines for users. As well, Google recently announced that when users type in key words such as "suicide," they will receive an automatic response prompting them to call the Lifeline if they need help.

The National Council for Suicide Prevention is a coalition of nine national organizations working to prevent suicide, including the American Association of Suicidology, American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, The Jason Foundation, The Jed Foundation, The Link Counseling Center, National Organization for People of Color Against Suicide, Samaritans USA , Suicide Awareness Voices of Education (SAVE), and Yellow Ribbon.

Dr. Reidenberg is available for in person interviews in Washington, D.C. or by phone at 612-741-1354.

SOURCE Suicide Awareness Voices of Education